Sports betting sharps never rest in December, as the bowl games arrive and we see NFL matchups popping up on Thursdays and eventually Saturdays. This Thursday’s Steelers/Browns matchup was supposed to be a dud but suddenly means something. Pittsburgh probably can’t afford another loss this season and the Browns would love to break their division rivals’ hearts on the national stage.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
Thursday, December 10, 8:20 p.m. ET
NFL odds favorite: Steelers -10
Well, it’s official: the Super Bowl hangover has arrived in Pittsburgh. Several strange obstacles have contributed to the Steelers’ first four-game losing streak in five years, most notably Troy Polamalu’s multiple knee injuries and Ben Roethlisberger’s concussion. You have to think Bruce Gradkowski wouldn’t have marched down the field for Oakland the way he did last week if Polamalu was lurking downfield and that Pittsburgh would’ve scored the extra four points needed to beat Baltimore if Big Ben took the snaps instead of Dennis Dixon.
That said, we shouldn’t panic with our NFL picks just yet. The Steelers struggles have been more about defensive lapses than anything else. With Roethlisberger back in the lineup (even if Hines Ward is out) and Rashard Mendenhall carving up defenses since he won the starting running back job, the Steelers’ offense should take it to Cleveland, which has the NFL’s worst defense (400.3 yards allowed per game).
Brady Quinn definitely surprised against a high-ranked Chargers pass defense last week, but his numbers are somewhat deceiving. He threw for 271 yards and three scores but that performance came against an overrated defense with a ranking puffed up by matchups against the Raiders and Chiefs. It’s tough to imagine Quinn matching that performance Thursday night at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Steelers’ top-ranked run defense should totally neutralize James Harrison and Chris Jennings – there’s nothing wrong with James Harrison and the Steelers’ front seven – so all the pressure will fall on Quinn to deliver. Whom do you trust more – the Super Bowl champs or Brady Quinn?
The Steelers have frustrated many bettors this season with their inconsistent play but, if there’s one thing they’ve done well over last few seasons, it’s come through in the clutch. Not only is this game a must win, it’s a must-win against arguably the worst team in football. If the Steelers don’t crush the Browns by a double-digit margin, something’s seriously wrong.
Sportsbook pick: Steelers -10
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